Kerry International Film Festival

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Kerry International Film Festival

This year’s festival takes place in October in Killarney and we are now open for submissions. We hope to see you there!

The Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) is where cinema magic happens! 🌟 Join us in Killarney, Ireland this October 15-18, 2026 for a celebration of incredible films, fresh talent, and unforgettable moments 🎬✨ The Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) is renowned for celebrating the work of new and established filmmaking talent through a well established and lively short film competition t

hat has been supported and endorsed by luminaries from the world of film such as Cillian Murphy, director Paul Greengrass, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson, and Gabriel Byrne. filmfreeway.com/KerryInternationalFilmFestival

The KIFF has become a vital element of the Irish Festival circuit and Kerry’s cultural landscape offering a unique film experience to the local community as well as visitors to the county. The Kerry International Film Festival provides a great opportunity to celebrate cinema and socialise by meeting with other film lovers and being immersed in some of the most provocative, thought provoking and exciting film from the Kingdom of Kerry and the four corners of the globe.

03/09/2026

🏆 We didn’t get Sam Maguire… so there’s space for a Zebbie! 🎬✨

Huge congratulations to Ailbhe Keogan, Chair of Kerry International Film Festival, who has won a Zebbie for Best TV Drama Script for her work on Trespasses.

A fantastic achievement and one we’ll be celebrating with her in Killarney this October!

Congratulations Ailbhe! 👏💚🏆

Writers Guild of Ireland Kerry County Arts Screen Ireland

02/09/2026

💚🎬MEET THE JUDGES OF KIFF 2026🎬💚

🎵 First Up is Best Original Score 🎵

MEET ALMA✨

Alma is an award-winning composer, sound designer and musician. She works with dance, theatre, film, music, circus and live art, always blurring the lines between music and sound design in her work. Alma has composed for numerous short films. She composed the music for the RTE Doc on One series, PIRATE PREDATOR. She is a company artist with THISISPOPBABY, and created the music for their smash hit shows RIOT and WAKE.

She is an accomplished session musician, working with many of Ireland’s major acts including Lisa Hannigan, Bell X 1, The Coronas, and Moncrieff.

She releases solo music as electro-folk act Lux Alma. This will be her second year as a judge at KIFF.

29/08/2026

🎬💚MEET THE TEAM💚🎬

Meet some of the brilliant people behind KIFF 2026! ✨

From programming and curation to technical production and bringing the festival experience to life, our team works hard behind the scenes to make KIFF happen!

Swipe through to get to know the team who bring you KIFF each year! 🎞️

MEET AMY ✨

Amy Louise is a film programmer and author-illustrator. She previously worked at the Irish Film Institute on its annual Schools programme, before leaving to join Kerry International Film Festival as the Festival Programming Director.
She is also the Festival Coordinator for Animation Di**le

MEET MARIE ✨

Known for her calm approach and can-do attitude, Marie works behind the scenes to help everything run smoothly.

She’s passionate about building strong connections with local businesses and making sure the festival feels rooted in the community. 💚

MEET DECLAN ✨

Declan works across a variety of technical, programming and administrative roles for film festivals.

After receiving a BA in Film & Television and an MA in Screenwriting, he has gone on to have a spectacularly unsuccessful career as a screenwriter — and a mediocre-at-best one working as a Script Supervisor, Production Assistant, Assistant Director, Editor and Post-Production Audio Engineer across a variety of film and television productions.

He also works as a Script Reader and in Development, so far managing to get precisely zero (0) projects into production.

In his spare time (lots), he endeavours at all times to cultivate an air of mystery. 🎬

MEET MOLLY ✨

Molly Qualter is an Irish film programmer, curator and marketer with a passion for silent film aswell as feminist and Irish film culture.

She has worked with leading film festivals, independent cinemas and arts organisations across Ireland, championing underrepresented voices through curation, panel discussions and film criticism.

Molly is currently studying for an MFA in Film Programming & Curation at the National Film and Television School, where she continues to explore new ways to make cinema accessible, engaging and

27/08/2026

🎬🍻 THE KIFF FESTIVAL CLUB IS BACK!🍻🎬

We’re delighted to be teaming up with Courtney’s Bar once again as the official KIFF Festival Club!

Last year, we took over upstairs with a Pop-Up Gaeltacht, trad sessions, chats, craic and plenty of great conversations, bringing filmmakers, festival-goers and the local community together.

And this year? Expect more music, chats, good company and plenty of festival craic!

📍 Courtney’s Bar, Killarney
📅 15–18 October 2026

25/08/2026

A huge congratulations to our Chair, Ailbhe Keogan, on being named a finalist for the 2026 WGI Zebbie Awards for her outstanding work on Trespasses!!✍️🎉

The Zebbie Awards are an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on the writers behind Ireland’s success in film, television, theatre, radio and audio drama, and to remind the industry that no production can exist without a script.

A proud Tralee native and hugely talented writer - wishing Ailbhe the very best for the awards on September 3rd. 👏✨

24/08/2026

🎬 SO, WHAT IS A FILM FESTIVAL?🎬

It’s more than just watching films. It’s discovering something you’ve never heard of, seeing films before everyone else, meeting the people behind them, having a drink afterwards, starting conversations, making connections - and having a bit of craic along the way. 🎥✨

Come for the films, stay for everything else.

This October, KIFF is bringing incredible films, filmmakers and audiences to the heart of the Kingdom💚

📍 Killarney, Co. Kerry
📅 15–18 October 2026

22/08/2026

💚CULTURE NIGHT @ KIFF💚

We’re delighted to be part of Culture Night 2026 with a special screening of Lance Daly’s TRAD @ Cinema Killarney.

📅 Friday 18th September
☕ Tea & coffee from 7.30pm
🎥 Film at 8pm
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION – BOOKING ESSENTIAL!

Bring a friend, grab a cuppa and join us for a special night celebrating Irish film, culture and community.

Huge thanks to The Arts Council of Ireland and Kerry County Council for supporting this event.

🎟️ Book your free tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/wmtb88b3

18/08/2026

🎬 VOLUNTEER WITH US! 🎬

What’s it really like to volunteer with the Kerry International Film Festival? 💚

Our lovely volunteer Irene shares her experience of being part of KIFF - from meeting filmmakers and fellow film lovers to enjoying great films and being part of the team that brings the festival to life. 🎥✨

Now, we’d love for you to join us!
📅 15-18 October 2026

If you’re Killarney-based, or can get to Killarney during the festival, we’d love to hear from you!

Come behind the scenes, meet amazing people, discover great films and make memories along the way. 🎬💚

👉 Volunteer with us! Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fl2c4o1BQy-bdB33Rs6CwnzmB2LtZ86wHVfdxEwYQ0I/viewform?chromeless=1&edit_requested=true

16/08/2026

✨ SPONSOR SHOWCASE: Hazel’s Nuts About Vintage✨

Located in the heart of Killarney, Hazel’s Nuts About Vintage is a gorgeous treasure trove of funky, sustainable vintage pieces, curated by Hazel over the past 10 years. 🎬✨

“I am delighted to support Kerry International Film Festival each year because KIFF celebrates art, creativity and up-and-coming creators, so our values align. Fashion and film have always gone hand in hand. I wish the festival continued success.”

We’re so grateful to Hazel for supporting Kerry International Film Festival and helping us celebrate Irish film, creativity and culture. 💚

Want to put your brand in front of a growing audience while supporting Irish film? With 2,000+ attendees and 150% audience growth, KIFF offers valuable exposure across social media, print and on-screen platforms.

📩 Interested in becoming a KIFF sponsor? Email [email protected]

Address

International Hotel Killarney, Kenmare Place
Killarney
V93 PXK3

Website

http://www.kerryfilmfestival.com/

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